“What do you want my opinion about? Whether I’d go to India to have a hip replacement: The answer is no.”

“That’s not the issue. The issue is how I handled Jennifer’s request. I think I did a lousy job. What’s your take?”

Clarence looked up into his friend’s eyes. “Are you serious? How else should you have handled it?”

“I could have been more honest.”

“In what regard? I mean, I can’t imagine you want to go all the hell way over to India for someone’s grandmother, do you? I mean, it’s not like you could bring her back to life or anything.”

“It’s true I’m not wild about going all the way to India at the moment,” Neil admitted.

“Well, there you go. You handled it just fine. It’s her problem the way she responded. She shouldn’t have walked away.”

“You think so?” Neil asked. He was unconvinced. After explaining the episode to Clarence, he actually felt guiltier about his behavior, not less guilty.

“Wait a minute,” Clarence said, holding up the suturing and staring back up at Neil. “I’m beginning to think there’s something you’re not telling me here. What’s your relationship with this woman? Are you sweet on her or what? Are you guys dating?”

“Sort of,” Neil admitted. “Actually, I’m not sure. It’s like she’s been holding me at arm’s length. We have been getting together a lot, and it’s wonderful. We never run out of things to talk about, and she’s been really open with me, telling me things she’s never told anyone else. I know that for a fact.”

“Have you guys ever hooked up?”

“No, but it’s not for not trying. I mean, we tried once, but it was awkward. It’s kind of strange. We can be talking about the most intimate things, and as soon as I try to move in on her, wham! This wall comes up.”

“That doesn’t sound good.”

“I know, but on the other hand she’s really smart, and she works and studies her butt off, and she’s terrific to be with. I’ve never been with a girl quite like her.”

“If she’s who I think she is, she’s also a piece of ass.”

“I can’t deny that. She caught my eye the first time I saw her as a first-year med student.”

“Okay,” Clarence said. “This all changes everything. What I’m hearing is you love this woman.”

“Let’s just say I’m interested, but since she’s got some baggage, there’s more that I’ve got to learn.”

“Are you thinking about chasing after her to India? Is that what I’m hearing you want my opinion on?”

“It is. The one thing I do know about her with absolute certainty is, she’s headstrong. She makes up her mind about things instantaneously and then holds on to her decision like a dog with a bone. At the moment she’s royally pissed at me, and I can understand why. She took me into her confidence, and now that she’s asked me to support her, I, in a sense, confirmed her worst fear by not doing so. If I don’t go over there I have to kiss good-bye any chance of learning anything more about her.”